Fluid pressure regulating valve



May 9, 1961 R. l.. MAISON 2,983,280

FLUID PRESSURE REGULATING VALVE Filed nee. 1o, 1957 FI 6.1. '2T' #Me/@f3 6") 7 66 z W MM w ,35 s 9 lll INVENTOR. /c/A /FD /VA Aso/v GEA/T United States Patent FLUID PRESSURE REGULATING VALVE Richard L. Maison, Los Angeles, Calif. (Rte. 1, Box 205, Vashon Island, Wash.)

Filed Dec. 10, 1957, Ser. No. 7 01,822

7 Claims. (Cl. 137-505.46)

predetermined pressure, and more particularly to a rotary type Valve involving a pressure responsive means forcontrolling the same, it being a general object of this invention to provide-a simple relativelyl inexpensive valve construction for the above mentioned purpose that isA reliable in its operation and which has improved features. v., The -usualprior art pressure regulating valve is re'- ferr-ed` to as adome type'regulator and which involves a diaphragm responsive. to uidpressure and which operates the valve elements relative toeach other. The usualY pressure regulating valve is subject to aY number ofu shortcomings, as follows: Because of inertia in-the moving parts, the usual valve overshootsupon rapid loading of theV regulator; Becauseof inertia and friction in theV moving. parts, the response time of most valves is not altogether satisfactory; Because of upstream' pres'- sure decay, many regulators are subject toV pressure drift ;,Because of extreme temperature changes, most all regulators ofthe type under consideration are adversely affected' thereby; Because of design limitations, notV all regulating valves have the desired sensitivity range; BecauseofV the usual structural relationship of parts, most 'valves involve a substantial amount of internal friction, and the result'is hammering andV vibration; And, generally speaking, mostpressure regulating valves are of substantial size andweight, are expensive to manufacture and are also diicult to service.

It is an object of this invention to provide a pressure regulating valve wherein the parts are relatedv so as to minimize if not' eliminate overshooting causedby rapid pres's'ure loadingV thereof. In the structure that I pro'- vide, as the downstream pressure increases a" greater pressure drop per degree of rotation is realized' whilejthe pressure responsive means acts at a substantially constant rate. This divergentfunction prevents said overshooting of the valve' which would otherwise resultV in a hunting action. V

Another object of this invention is to providev a pressure regulating valve wherein the response time thereof compares most favorably with any other valve of said type; Response time is a function of the initialV differential pressure as it isrelated tol the internal friction, the inertia of the moving parts, and the degree of movement required, each of these later factors being. minimized in the valve of the present invention.

It is another object of this invention to provide a pressure'r'egulating. valve wherein regulated pressure drift is minimized. The valve of the instant inventionY is subjected to control by downstream pressure magnitude with respect to aconstant bias, either by spring' or by uid pressure, to the' end that here is a minimum of pressure drift;

It is still another object of this invention to' provide a lpressure regulating valve wherein temperature changes have a minimum effect upon the operativeness of the valve. In the instant valve tliere'isV av number Y of working parts with limited working surfaces, none of which are machined to, so called, critical dimensions.

It is a further object of this invention to provide Ya pressure regulating valve wherein the desired range of sensitivity is easily obtainable as circumstances require.

The valve elements are selectively replaceable, Yandralso is the biasing element, which is Ymanually adjustable.

It is still a furtherpobject of this invention to provide a pressure regulatingV valve of the character thus far referred to that is compact and serviceable, and which is not only reliable -under a wide range of operating conditions, but whichis alsoeasy to maintain'in proper operating condition.

The various'objects and features of myl invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of my invention, throughout which descriptionV reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation of the pressure regulating valvel of the present invention with portions thereof broken away to show in section. Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken as indicated by line 2-2 on Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed'section of a portion of the structure and taken as indicated by line 3 3 onFig. 2. And, Figs. 4 and 5 are views of the valving elements that I provide being views taken as indicated by'lines 4--4 and 5-5 on Fig. 3.

The pressure regulating valve, as` shown throughout the'drawings,is intended for use in a flow line'to control the downstream pressure of iluid, and-is not intended to be used as a shut-o valve. Asbest illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the valve involves, generally, a case or body A, cooperately related valve elements B and C, operating means D, and pressure responsive means E. The body A has a chamber Y formed therein to receive fluid'under pressure from an upstream line X and to deliver iiuid yto a downstream line Z. The valve elements B and C are shiftably related elements carried by the body A and areprovided to control entry of uid into the chamber Y from the line X. The-operating means D is carried by the body A within the chamber Y and operates the'valve elements relative to each other, and the pressure responsive means E- senses pressure within said chamber and actuates the operating means D to shift the valve elements.

The case or'body A thatk has the chamber Y formed therein is provided to form the frame of the valve structureand receives the' working elements thereof, allV as hereinafter described. The body A may vary widely ini actu-al construction and is shown in the form of a casting, or the like, having side walls 14 and 15. As indicated, the chamber Y is a-closed chamber, and in the particular case illustrated the front wall 12 has an opening 16 therein to receive the valve elements B and C, and the bottom wall 15 has an opening 17 therein to receive the terminal end of the downstream line Z. The opening 16 is preferably a round opening with a keyway 18 in the periphery thereof, while the opening 11i171 isZ a threaded opening adapted to be coupled to the The valve elements B and C, that are shiftably related elements, are provided to control the ow of uid under pressure from the upstream line X- into thev chamber Y. In accordance with the invention, the elements B and C are preferably metal parts relatedV to each other to form a unit of construction, and they are'rotatable relative to each other. 'Ihe said unit of construction formed by the elements B and C is best illustrated in Fig. 3, each of the elements being a disc-shaped ele'- ment'.- In the particular case illustrated, the elements B and C have opposed faces 20and 21` in a plane normal to the axis of the elements, and there is a central pinZ'Z anchored in one 'clement and rotatably carrying thc other element.

Like circular series of ports 23 and 24 are provided to extend axially throughY thevalve elements B VandnC, respectively. Y.The number. Vand arrangement of ports may. vary widely .as circumstances require, the total area of the ports when openV being equal to or more than tratedLthererare eightfequallylspaced ports 23tin Ythe valvegelernent VBand eight equally spaced portsY 24 in the valve lelement C. V The ports 23 and 24 are round in cross sectional coniigurationand register with each other when the Vvvalve is fully opened.' By rotation of the valve elementsrelative to eachY other the ports are opened or closed, this closing VfunctionY whenrepresented in graph form being a substantially straight line.Y A v In the case illustrated, the`valve element is supported-by the body A'in the opening 16, theouteiydiam-` eter V25 of the element C having sliding engagement, or clearance, in the'op'ening 16. A peripheral flange 26 projects radially from the outer diameter 25 to engage 'accesso the, area of the flow line X.; .-Inthe particular, casetillus- A feature of construction is the manner in which the arm 40 and elements B and C are retained in working position relative to each other. As best illustrated in Fig. 3, there is a head 46'at the terminal end of the pin 22, said head having a thrust `face 47 opposing the outer side 48 of the arm 40. Antifriction thrust washer 49 is interposed between the face 47 and side 48, said face, side and washer being of relatively small diameter, as shown. .In practice, washer 49 Yof ,Teon or tetrauoroethylene is employed for antifriction properties, to the end that the arm 40 andelement B is free to be easily rotated relative to the element C.

The arm V40'pr'ojects radially from the pin 22 and the I coupling 42 is `at the outer end portionof the arm.

rotatably carries theelement B, there'being a locking device to prevent turning of the threaded connection once it is properly adjusted, for'example a ber block or pad is carried in the exterior of the pin 22, -as indi# cated, Vin order'to engage the threads in the elementrC. j, In order to retain theelement C in workingposition, and in order to conduct fluid therethrough from the upstream line X, I provide a retainer 30. The retainer is in the form of a cap that overlies the opening 16 and element C and which is adapted to be drawn into sealing engagement with the exterior 27 of the wall 12. A passage 31 extends through the retainer 30 to be in communication with the line X which, in practice is threadedly engaged in an opening 32 in the retainerto deliver uid under pressure into the passage 31, and the passage 31 delivers uid to the ports 24. The back side 33 of the retainer is tlat and has a recess therein to receive,'and center, the flange 26 of the element C, Aand in order to provide a uid tight seal between the body A and element C and retainer 30 a'gasket 34 is engaged between the exterior 27 and ilange 26, said gasket projectng radially outward to seal with the back face 33 of the retainerv 30. Suitable screw fasteners 35 are provided to pull the retainer-'30 into sealingV engagement with the body A,: which also secures therelement C in Workingposition; A t The operating means D that is1carried within the chain ber Y to operate the Yvalve elements relative to each other is provided to rotate Vthe valve elements B and VC relative to each other1 in responsetorectilinear movement of the pressure responsive means E later described. The means D is a lever type means and involves, 'generally, an operating arm 40 joining the armtand link. The operating arm 40 is carried `by or connected to one Yof the valve elements B or C. -In.the"`case under con- `'sideratiom the arm 40 s'connected to theelement B to rotate the same when the arm 40 is shifted by the Vlinlr41. It ispreferred that the'arm 40 'be made sepa- Yrately from the elementY B in which case the inner end 'portion' offthev arm has' a-bearing opening. 43r passing therethrough so that the arm'40 can be rotatably carried on lthepin 22.* Driving connectionjbetween the arm 40 and element B is provided and the arm 40 is keyed to the element B. As'shown, a diametrically -disposed key 44 projects fromjthe innereendportion of the varm and engages inra Ykeyway 45 formed in `the element B., The jkey44`and keyway- 45l are ,tapered` orewedge shaped in order'to eliminateY any vplay or motion between the parts itasbownh The link 41 is a straight elognate part on an axis tangentially disposed to the arc of swing of the end portion of the arm 40, and is, therefore, laterally removed or offset from the axis ofrotation of the valve elementsB and C. The coupling 42 that joins the link 41 to the outer portion of the arm 40 is a pivotrtype construction and is preferably a universal joint and involves, generally, a ball 50 engaged in `a socket 51. The ball 50 is secured to the end of the link 41 while the socket 51 is at the outer endof the arm `40. The ball 50 is flattened at diametrically opposite sides and the socket is of a iiat ringk shape, and includes features so that/the coupling parts can be assembled in the usual manner.` As shown, the ball is securedragainst a shoulder on the link 41 by means of a nut 52 threaded onto the terminal endY of the link.

t, In orderto limit Ytravel or swing of the arm 40, an adjustable stop 55 is provided. The stop 55 is preferably inthe form of an adjustable screw extending through the arm v40 in the direction of travel thereof and adapted to strike against opposite sides of the body A within the chamber Y. `When the stop 55 Vis, properly set, or centered, aY lock nut 56 is tightened thereon to holdit in position. p l

t The pressure responsive means E, that senses pressure within the chamber Y and actuates the operating means D, is provided to reciprocate the link 41 to swing the `arm `40 vin orderto Vrotatethe valve elements B and C rela-V tive to each other.'V The means E may be varied, that. is, it may be a pressure responsive diaphragmmeans, or a pressure responsive bellows means, or aY cylinder `and piston means as shown. I n any case, the meansE is located on the axis, orr normal axis, Yof the link 41 and when the arm 40 projects' upward, as shown, the means E is located atVone side of the body A and at thetop 14 thereof. Y InY the case under consideration, when the ymeans E is a cylinder Vand piston means, the said, means ,is ,housed in` an extension o f the `body A that projects Alaterallyjofone side of -the body. In Pig. 1 of the drawings, I4 have shown a cylindrical extension 60 haying a borev 61- concentric with the normal axis of the link 41; .u A piston62 is operable longitudinally of. the bore 61, said piston being carried by the outer ,end of the link41. Y In carrying out the invention the piston 62 is either made smaller in diameter thanv the bore 61 or itis made with aA spherical periphery so that theaxis thereof pan-beangularly relatedrto theY axis ofthe bore, during operation, withoutbinding of `thepiston in the bore. Further, the seal 63for example an 0 ring seal, is

providedtat the periphery of the piston to engage the .knob 68 adjustably positions the seat 66. Anopening'70 is provided in the head end vof the cylindrical extension 6.0. and, maybe, -vsedf 1Q vgntthebr26r1fr itmey be employed in lieu ofthe mechanical means' illustratedJ in which case the head 64; is simply closed.

With the pressure regulating'jvalve structure? herein# above described, and as illustrated'inthe drawings, a very satisfactory'and commercially practicaldeviceis provided for regulating of iluid pressure from a high pressure' to a lower pressure, or any like situation.v dThe valve is normally open, in which case,theiiiiitl iiows"V therethrough with little or no pressure drop# at theports 23 and 24. As excess pressure develops in the chamber Y the piston 62 is moved against the bias allowing theports 23T-and 24 to close, and as the ports close the pressure drop increases at the ports 23 and 24. Therefore; asfthe downstream pressure increases, rotation of the valve'elementslcreate `a greater pressurev drop per degree ofmovement while the bias operates at a substantially constantr rate, allin order to prevent overshooting and fhunting.

As the valve ports 23- and 24' are` closed, pressure is applied to the valve element- B2 aridi the anti-friction washers 49. Note that the valve elements are not pressed together by iiuid pressure applied, or by mechanical pressure, to the end that they are always free to rotate. In carrying out the invention, the head 46 is adjusted so that the opposed faces 20 and 21 of the valve elements B and C are juxtapositioned but not actually touching, and if desired a lubricant is interposed between said faces.

It will be apparent that the valve hereinabove described is easily manufactured and that it operates smoothly and without undue friction and wtihout vibration or hammering. 'Ihe valve elements operate to control the pressure of iiuid in the downstream line Z without actually coming together and with the result that the valve can never become jambed or injured from excess loads whetherV they are constant or shock loads.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. A uid pressure regulating valve of the character described and including, a body with a chamber formed therein and having an inlet to receive fluid under pressure from an upstream line and having an outlet to deliver it to a downstream line, a pair of disc-shaped valve elements for controlling entry of iluid into the chamber from the upstream line, one of said valve elements being iixed and opposed to the inlet huid pressure, and the other of said valve elements being rotatably carried by a pin at the side of the fixed element that is faced away from said inlet uid pressure, operating means to turn the rotatable valve element relative to the fixed valve element, and a pressure responsive means to sense the outlet fluid pressure within said chamber and actuating the operating means to turn the rotatable valve element toward a closed position.

2. A iiuid pressure regulating valve of the character described and including, a body with a chamber formed therein and having an inlet to receive fluid under pressure from an upstream line and having an outlet to deliver it to a downstream line, a valve element iixedly engaged in said opening and opposed to the inlet liuid pressure, a second valve element rotatably carried by a pin projecting from the fixed element at the side thereof faced away from said inlet iiuid pressure, said valve elements being opposed and in spaced relationship relative to each other and controlling entry of fluid into the chamber through the inlet, operating means turn the rotatable valve element relative to the xed valve element, and a pressure responsive means to sense the outlet iiuid pres- Y 3iV Aj u'icl` pressure' regulating valve of the character'n described and'including', arbody'w'itha chamber formed' therein and having an inlet andan opening to receive uid: under pressure froinanvupstream'line and having an outletto deliver it,v to al downstream line, a'valve unit en,-` gagedY in said opening to-control entry of uid intothe chamberfrom 'the' inlet' andl including a valve element fixedly positioned4 in= said opening and' opposed to' the inlet uidpre'ssure, asecond'valve element rotatably carried'byfapinp'rbjecting from-thexedelement at thesideV thereof faced away from said inlet fluid pressure, said val've elementsbeing opposed andr in spaced relationship relative fo ech other,l operating means to turn the ro-v tatable valv'eL eleuieiit'I relative: to thelixe'd valveelement', aiidfal pressure esponsive-means to' sense'the outlet huidpressurevw'it vsaid chamber and-actuating the operating' means t6 tui'itherbtat'ablelvalvev elementtoward a'close'd position.

'4. A* uid pressure regulating: valve of the character described and including, a body with a chamber formed therein and having an inlet and an opening to receive iiuid under pressure from an upstream line and having an outlet to deliver it to a downstream line, a valve unit engaged in said opening to control entry of fluid into the chamber from the inlet and including a disc-shaped valve element xedly positioned in and closing said opening and opposed to the inlet pressure, a second valve element rotatably carried by a pin projecting from the xed element at the side thereof faced away from said inlet uid pressure, said valve elements being in spaced relationship and having registerable ports adapted to be moved out of register, operating means to turn the rotatable valve element relative to the fixed element, and a pressure responsive means to sense the outlet uid pressure within said chamber and actuating the operating means to turn the rotatable valve element toward a position where said ports are out of register.

5. A fluid pressure regulating valve of the character described and including, aV body with a chamber formed therein and having an inlet and an opening to receive liuid under pressure from an upstream line and having an outlet to deliver it to a downstream line, a valve unit engaged in said opening to control entry of fluid into the chamber from the inlet and including a valve element fixedly positioned in and closing said opening to oppose the inlet liuid pressure, and a second valve element within the chamber and rotatably carried by a pin projecting from the side of the fixed element faced away from said inlet uid pressure, said valve elements being opposed in spaced relationship relative to each other and having registerable ports adapted to be moved out of register, operating means including an arm projecting radially from the rotatable valve element and a link engaged with the outer end of the arm, and `a pressure responsive means to sense the outlet uid pressure within said chamber and actuating the link to turn the rotatable valve element relative to the xed Valve element to close said ports.

6. A fluid pressure regulating valve of the character described and including, a body with a chamber for-med therein and having an inlet and an opening to receive uid under pressure from an upstream line and having an outlet to deliver it to a downstream line, a valve unit engaged in said opening to control entry of fluid into the chamber from the inlet and including a valve element iixedly positioned in and closing said opening to oppose to the inlet fluid pressure, and a second valve element within the chamber and rotatably carried by a pin projecting from the side of the iixed element faced away from said inlet fluid pressure, said valve elements being opposed in spaced relationship relative to each other and having registerable ports adapted to be moved out of register, operating means to turn the rotatable valve element relative to the sure within said chamber and actuating the operating fixed valve element, and a pressure responsive means to essere@ sense the outlet uid pressure within said. chamherand in-Y cluding a reciprocable element biased in one direction'and urged by theY outlet uid pressure inthe otherrdirectionto turn the rotatable valve elementjrelativeto the fixed valve elcmentto close said ports. y Y Y Y 7. A fluidV pressureregulating valve of the character described and including, al body with `a chamberformed therein and having anA inlet and an opening to receive vud under pressure from an upstream line and havingl an outlet to deliver it to a downstream line, a valve unit engaged in said opening to control entry of uid into the chamber from the inlet and including a disc-*shaped valve element Y xedly positioned in and closing said opening to oppose the inlet uid pressure, and a second disc-shapedv valve element opposing the first mentioned fixed valve element and rotatably carried by a pin projecting from the side of the iixed element faced away from said inletiiuidY pressure, said valve elements rbeing in spaced relationshipand having registerable ports adapted to be moved out of;rcgiste r, operating means including an arm keyed to andprojecting radially from the rotatable valve element and a link universally engaged with the" outer end of the arm and a pressure responsive means to sense the outlet uid pres'- sure within said chamber and includingfa cylinder Vand a piston operablev toV reciprocate therein, Said piston being biased in one direction and urged by the outlet nid pressure in the other direction and to turn therotatable valve element relative to the 'xed valve element to, close said ports. t,

Y References Cited in the tile of` this patent Germany ..7. June 25, 1892 

